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Finding legislators FInding your district Getting Status of Bills General Information Good reading
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HB2280 - emissions testing; motorcycles; area A This bill, sponsored by Representative Jerry Weiers, will eliminate the yearly emissions testing of motorcycles in Maricopa and Pinal Counties (area A). The only 2 counties in the United States that still have them. Here's what we have to date: - There are approximately 150,000 registered motorcycles in Arizona - In 2006 there were only 29,826 of them subject to emissions testing in Area A, with a low 16% of fail - In 2007 there were only 28,424 with a 16% fail. This percent has not increased since ADEQ's research 4 years ago - Also in the last 4 years, the numbers of motorcycles subject to testing has decreased, showing that the remaining motorcycles registered in area A are 5 years old or newer - ADEQ reports on the effects of the EPA possibly imposing stricter measures on states in March of 2008, are, for the most part, related to rural areas. The question being, how would the testing of approximately 29,000 motorcycles in Area A positively effect this? - And, Best of All, Area A emissions show that those 28,424 motorcycles are only responsible for 200 lbs of the 300 TONS of Hydrocarbons put out by vehicles per day. IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM !!!!!! - Update: DONE DEAL !!!! The Governor signed HB2280, the elimination of yearly emissions on motorcycles in Maricopa County, Tuesday April 22nd. This will become official in the statutes in 90 days. As the statute states a "contingency" on EPA approval, here is the rest of what has to happen. Once this is 'official' in 90 days, the ADEQ will start to work on the drawing up and submittal of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA.
Anytime Arizona is going to do something that can or will effect Arizona's air quality, they need to submit a SIP. The SIP will be describing the effect that this will have (or not have in this case) and asking for the EPA's approval of their plan. Ira Domsky of ADEQ stated that this will not take as long this time around, as they have aleady have the prototype from the Pima County request a few years ago. However, the EPA usually takes With all of this in mind, we can only hope that it will be LAW within the next 2 years!!! Ira Domsky, who has worked with us diligently for the past 4-5 years, recently paid your lobby team a huge compliment. He stated that the elimination of motorcycle emissions in Arizona has only come about because of the way the motorcycle lobby handled themselves throughout the entire process, by holding their ground and never once budging, by keeping a gentle pressure on ADEQ, MAG and the legislature to make it happen and holding everyone involved, accountable for their promises. It was obvious to him 4 years ago that 'NO' was not an option for us. It was even more obvious over time, that the motorcycle lobby was going to remember anything and everything that ADEQ or MAG promised and hold them to it. To see for yourself, go to www.azleg.gov - type in HB2280 in the upper right hand corner - Hit ENTER and when the page for the bill comes up, CLICK ON 'Bill Overview" - Scan down to the bottom to see when it was sent to and signed by the Governor. HB2092 - motor vehicle accidents; death; injury This bill is sponsored by Representative Andy Biggs. Today, the Arizona Statute that pertains to penalties for Right of Way (ROW) violations, ARS28-672, only refers to two statutes that truly effect motorcyclists. Left Turns and Running Red Lights. The penalties involved are for causing Serious Physical Injury (SPI) or Death. The lobbyists have submitted revisions to ARS28-672 to include, Pulling Out from anywhere, Merging and Moving to another lane unsafely. The latter would cover "side swiping" or causing "head on" collisions. We also revised the code to say that IF this was the drivers 2nd or more offense of this statute, that their license "SHALL" be suspended for 90 days for SPI and 180 days for Death. In addition we included a "classification" of a driver that has no license or proper endorsement, to ARS28-775/776. It was noticed at the time that Rep Biggs dropped our bill, that he had forgotten the statutes referring to "Pulling Out". He informed us that we will have to 'amend' the legislation as it goes through the process. -Update: HB2844 - criminal street gangs; arrest - We had a very informative meeting today, with Rep Driggs, sponsor of this bill. As it turns out, this legislation has no criminal intent, is not associated with a conviction and its intent is to protect the victim. Rep Driggs also stated that he will be asking for clarification on the words "with or without a warrant", in sections A and B, as he sees no reason for them being there. We will be watching this bill in case it moves any further, to assure there are no amendments that we would need to be concerned about, and attend any committee hearings it might have. You Too Can Follow These Bills Through The Legislative Session: LOGON TO - www.azleg.gov ENTER THE BILL# - into the search box - top right corner of home page CLICK ON - "Show Bill Overview" - to see sponsors, committees assigned, voting summaries for each House/Senate committee it goes before, as well as the floor votes. CLICK ON - "Show Versions or Fact Sheet" - to see the contents of the bill itself or the Fact Sheet as written by Staff. Following is a wrap up of all the bills we have been following, working and meeting with legislators in regards to: HB2676 - Dilution of the motorcycle safety fund - DEAD Right of Way - Please talk to all legislators about Right of Way violators and how they effect us motorcyclists. Let them know that the laws in place need to be enforced to the fullest.
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